As the Transportation Department continues to focus on safety, continuing education and awareness to keep our children safe.Please visit Operation Lifesaver's website oli.org as well as our State's Operation Lifesaver website which can be found at LAOperationLifesaver.org to learn more. For interactive training visit the School Bus Driver e-learning Program. This is an interactive online experience for public and private school bus drivers. The program brings attention to choices bus drivers often make around tracks and trains and is intended to help bus drivers make safer decisions around the tracks.It does not and is not intended to teach you to drive a bus."

• When waiting for the bus, stay away from traffic and avoid roughhousing or other behavior that can lead to carelessness. Do not stray onto streets, alleys or private property.

• Line up away from the street or road as the school bus approaches.

• Wait until the bus has stopped and the door opens before stepping onto the roadway.

• Use the handrail when stepping onto the bus.

Behavior on the bus:

• When on the bus, find a seat and sit down. Loud talking or other noise can distract the bus driver and is not allowed.

• Never put head, arms or hands out of the window.

• Keep aisles clear – books or bags are tripping hazards and can block the way in an emergency.

• Before you reach your stop, get ready to leave by getting your books and belongings together.

• At your stop, wait for the bus to stop completely before getting up from your seat, then walk to the front door and exit, using the handrail.

Getting off the school bus:

• If you have to cross the street in front of the bus, walk at least ten feet ahead of the bus along the side of the road until you can turn around and see the driver.

• Make sure that the driver can see you.

• Wait for a signal from the driver before beginning to cross.

• When the driver signals, walk across the road keeping an eye out for sudden traffic changes.

• Do not cross the center line of the road until the driver has signaled that it is safe for you to begin walking.

• Stay away from the bus’ rear wheels at all times.

Correct way to cross the street:

• Children should always stop at the curb or the edge of the road and look left, then right, and then left again before crossing. Children should only cross when the Bus driver indicates for them to cross.

• They should continue looking in this manner until they are safely across.

• If student’s vision is blocked by a parked car or other obstacle, they should move out to where drivers can see them and they can see other vehicles -- then stop, and look left-right-and left again.

Sharing the Road with School Buses:

If you're driving behind a bus, allow a greater following distance than if you were driving behind a car. It will give you more time to stop once the yellow lights start flashing. It is illegal in all 50 states to pass a school bus that is stopped to load or unload children.

Never pass a bus from behind – or from either direction if you're on an undivided road – if it is stopped to load or unload children

If the yellow or red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended, traffic must stop

The area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children; stop far enough back to allow them space to safely enter and exit the bus

Be alert; children often are unpredictable, and they tend to ignore hazards and take risks

BUS SAFETY

Risk can come from unsafe conditions, but it’s usually caused by unsafe behaviors. Almost every accident is caused by a driver’s unsafe behavior.

Drivers should know and avoid the risky behaviors. The most important are:

1. Count the kids away, know where they are before you move the wheels.

2. Always rock and roll for left hand turns.

3. Stay back four seconds – maintain a safe following distance and leave yourself an out.

4. Look ahead and be prepared.

5. Look around, always know what is going on around you.

6. Always check for sleeping children.

7. Never drop off a child at an unauthorized stop.

8. If late, stay late.

Messages to the kids:

1. Never cross close to the front of the bus – make sure the driver can see you.

2. Never pick up anything you drop close to or under the bus – ask the driver what to do.

3. Never run after a bus or bang on the side.

4. If you must cross the street in front of the bus, follow the driver’s directions, and stop and look before you cross.

5. Never run across a street, it’s better to miss the bus than rush and risk being hit by a car.

6. Stay away from the rear and sides of the bus – always be in a safe place where the driver can see you.

Messages to the motoring public:

1. Never pass a school bus when its stop lights are flashing.

2. Be extra vigilant around school hours – assume a child might run out at any moment.

3. Be courteous to school buses, give them room and let them change lanes when they need to.

Driving Tips!!!

Safety! Safety! Safety!

Safety is our biggest priority!

Please remember these tips while bussing students in the next school year!

Obey all traffic laws.

Notify Transportation Department and your school's principals of ALL accidents.

Students should cross ONLY in front of the bus in view of the driver.

Never leave the bus unattended while the motor is running.

Railroad crossings: stop at all crossings no less than 15 ft from and not more than 50 ft from the nearest track, open and close the bus door to look for trains, and make all stops in the far right lane.